Linking words — cohesive devices, in examiner language — sit at the heart of Coherence & Cohesion, a full quarter of your IELTS Writing score. Most candidates get the logic backwards, though: Band 7 is not about more linkers than Band 6, but a wider range used accurately. The descriptors say it plainly: at Band 6, cohesion may be "faulty or mechanical"; Band 7 requires "a range of cohesive devices" used flexibly — range + accuracy, not quantity. We cover the full criterion in our Coherence & Cohesion guide.
Below is the working list, grouped by function, with a register note and a short example for each.
Adding an idea
| Linker | Register note | Example |
|---|---|---|
| moreover | formal, sentence-initial | Online learning is cheap. Moreover, it is flexible. |
| furthermore | formal; synonym of moreover | Furthermore, remote work reduces traffic congestion. |
| in addition | neutral, always safe | In addition, cycling improves public health. |
| additionally | neutral, lighter | Additionally, the policy would create new jobs. |
| also | neutral; best mid-sentence | Public transport is also better for the environment. |
| what is more | semi-formal, emphatic | What is more, children learn languages faster than adults. |
Contrasting
| Linker | Register note | Example |
|---|---|---|
| however | neutral; the workhorse | The plan is costly. However, it will pay off in the long run. |
| whereas | formal; joins two clauses | Cities offer more jobs, whereas rural areas offer cleaner air. |
| nevertheless | formal; concedes, then counters | The exam is difficult. Nevertheless, thousands pass it every year. |
| despite | preposition — noun or -ing only | Despite the high cost, many families choose private schools. |
| on the other hand | neutral; pairs with on the one hand | On the other hand, tourism can damage local ecosystems. |
| although | neutral; needs a main clause | Although salaries rose, living standards did not improve. |
Cause and effect
| Linker | Register note | Example |
|---|---|---|
| therefore | formal; after a full stop or semicolon | Fuel is expensive; therefore, fewer people drive. |
| consequently | formal; heavier than therefore | The city invested in metro lines. Consequently, congestion eased. |
| as a result | neutral, very safe | Many factories closed. As a result, unemployment rose. |
| thus | formal; often mid-sentence | Recycling saves raw materials and thus reduces costs. |
| due to | preposition — noun phrase only | The flight was delayed due to bad weather. |
| this leads to | neutral; for consequence chains | Cars dominate city centres, and this leads to air pollution. |
Giving examples
| Linker | Register note | Example |
|---|---|---|
| for example | neutral; the default | Some habits harm health — for example, smoking. |
| for instance | neutral; synonym for variety | For instance, Japan has an efficient rail network. |
| such as | neutral; mid-sentence examples | Team sports such as football teach cooperation. |
| namely | formal; specifies exactly | One factor matters most, namely motivation. |
| a case in point | semi-formal; use once per essay | Seoul is a case in point: its metro carries millions daily. |
Sequencing
| Linker | Register note | Example |
|---|---|---|
| firstly | neutral; for listing arguments | Firstly, governments should fund public transport. |
| secondly | neutral; partner of firstly | Secondly, cycling lanes must be expanded. |
| initially | neutral; ideal for Task 1 trends | Initially, sales grew slowly. |
| subsequently | formal; "after that" in Task 1 | The figure rose sharply and subsequently levelled off. |
| meanwhile | neutral; parallel events | Exports doubled; meanwhile, imports remained stable. |
| finally | neutral; last point, not a conclusion | Finally, schools should teach financial literacy. |
Concluding
| Linker | Register note | Example |
|---|---|---|
| in conclusion | neutral; the standard closer | In conclusion, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. |
| overall | neutral; for the Task 1 overview | Overall, the trend was upward. |
| to sum up | semi-formal; lighter closer | To sum up, both views have merit. |
| in summary | formal; compresses the argument | In summary, urgent action is needed. |
| on balance | formal; a weighed judgement | On balance, I believe the advantages prevail. |
The overuse trap: Band 6 vs Band 7
The most common mistake is opening every sentence with a linker. Compare. A Band 6-style paragraph:
Firstly, technology has changed education. Moreover, students can now study online. Furthermore, online courses are cheaper than traditional ones. In addition, they are flexible. However, some people prefer classrooms. Therefore, universities should offer both options.
Every sentence opens with a device — exactly the "mechanical" use the descriptors penalise, and examiners spot it instantly. Now the same ideas at Band 7+:
Technology has transformed education, most visibly through online courses. These are cheaper and more flexible than classroom teaching, which explains their growing popularity among working adults. However, many learners still value face-to-face contact with a teacher, so the most practical solution is for universities to offer both formats.
Only one visible linker remains (however); the rest of the cohesion comes from referencing — these, which, so. The paragraph is shorter yet reads far more naturally, and that low-visibility cohesion is what earns Band 7.
Punctuation and grammar notes
- However is not but. But is a conjunction: it joins two clauses inside one sentence (The plan is costly, but it works). However is an adverb: it starts a new sentence (However, ...) or follows a semicolon (...; however, ...). Splicing two full sentences with just a comma and however (...costly, however it works) is an error.
- Despite / in spite of take a noun or -ing form, never a full clause: Despite the rain and despite being tired are correct; despite it was raining is not. If you need a clause, switch to although or use despite the fact that. And despite of simply does not exist.
- Whereas and although cannot stand alone. Each must connect two clauses within one sentence; a fragment like Whereas rural areas are quieter. is ungrammatical.
Tip: Master two or three linkers per function rather than memorising the whole list. In the exam, a simple device used correctly beats an impressive one used wrongly — the descriptors reward accuracy, not sophistication.
Learning linkers from a table is step one; deploying them accurately inside an essay is a separate skill. See how they behave in real prose in our Band 7+ sample essay, then write your own and run it through the free AI Writing band checker — it checks whether each linker is used accurately and scores your Coherence & Cohesion in detail.
